'I want to have a look at all the options' said Ken Smith, Liberal MP and Shaw adversary. Photo: Joe Armao

Government sources have confirmed an attempt to fine and suspend the balance-of-power MP - possibly for a period of weeks - is the most likely option as a sanction for misusing his vehicle and fuel card.

In another day of brinkmanship, Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews challenged the Coalition to back a harsher Labor plan when Parliament resumes on Tuesday to expel Mr Shaw from Parliament.

Related Content

Former Speaker Ken Smith is not ruling out supporting the proposal, potentially giving Labor the numbers needed to oust the Frankston MP.

''I'd have to have a bit of a look at what Labor were putting forward to see if it were something I could accept,'' Mr Smith told The Age on Wednesday night. ''I want to have a look at all the options and I'm not prepared to speculate without knowing what they might be.''

Advertisement

Although Premier Denis Napthine said all options to sanction Mr Shaw would be considered, senior Coalition sources are privately cautious, warning a move to expel Mr Shaw from Parliament outright could be subject to a High Court challenge, while setting a dangerous precedent.

On Tuesday night Mr Shaw declared he would back a motion of no-confidence against Dr Napthine, effectively threatening to bring down the government.

Dr Napthine in turn accused Mr Shaw of making ''ludicrous'', ''extreme'', and ''inappropriate'' demands, including that he make a particular judicial appointment.

But Mr Shaw on Tuesday denied using his balance-of-power clout to make demands for a judicial appointment, telling The Age his concerns had always related to Victoria's abortion laws. He accused Dr Napthine of being a ''moral coward'' for refusing to even consider the issue, saying he had ''never demanded anything''.

''I've got these two Goliaths against me and that is just the fact,'' Mr Shaw told The Age. ''Both don't like an independent voice. I've got union thugs [Labor] on one side and moral cowards [the Coalition] on the other.''

Labor has been keen to capitalise on the sense of chaos, with Mr Andrews demanding a meeting with Dr Napthine and Governor Alex Chernov.

But Mr Andrews' demand for a Wednesday meeting was ignored, with Dr Napthine spending the day in central Victoria while claiming the demand was ''totally inappropriate in a Westminster system''.

Dr Napthine continued to toughen his rhetoric, vowing to punish Mr Shaw, saying he was seeking legal advice to ensure the punishment could not be challenged in court. ''His wrongdoings must be dealt with, but they must be dealt with in a strong but appropriate way that is enforceable and that it sticks,'' Dr Napthine said.

Asked directly if expulsion of the rogue MP was an option, Dr Napthine said ''all considerations were on the table''.

In an attempt to turn the blow torch back towards the government, Labor will move to expel the Frankston MP, claiming a byelection could be held as early as July 12 or 19.

''I'm not prepared to have Geoff Shaw run our state,'' Mr Andrews said. ''We can deal with him once and for all and we can end this circus.''

Labor MPs have been summoned to a special party meeting on Thursday morning ahead of the long weekend and next week's showdown in Parliament.

Senior government sources argue a suspension would send ''a very clear message'' that Mr Shaw's behaviour would not be tolerated, while allowing the Parliament to continue functioning and avoiding a byelection in the seat of Frankston.

Government MPs are privately furious at former Speaker Smith, who last week said he would vote with Labor to find Mr Shaw in contempt of the Parliament. It follows a government-dominated privileges committee report which stopped short of finding the Frankston MP in contempt for misusing his vehicle, instead recommending a $6838 fine.